Bass guitar · Hertfordshire
Bass guitar lessons in St Albans.
I’m Terry Blyth. Hundreds of students have come through one-to-one lessons in St Albans and online — beginners, children, grade candidates, and players who already gig. The tuition is qualified: a Master of Music, a teaching diploma, and Rockschool bass grades I have written for. I also assess school and college qualifications.
Rated 5.0 on Google. One hour. No package to buy first.
Hundreds of students
Private pupils and college classes, from first notes to players working in music.
MMus
Master of Music. The lesson is built on a real qualification, not a weekend course.
Teaching diploma
Diploma for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, plus DBS clearance.
Rockschool
I wrote material for the bass grades.
I still play the gigs.
The lessons come from that, not from a method book alone.
Where you are on the neck
All lesson pathsBeginner
You want to play, and you are not sure where a first note goes. Lessons start there — fun, specific, and built around the songs you already like.
Beginner bass lessonsIntermediate
You already play. The next step is cleaner hands, a better ear, and the theory that explains the records you love.
Intermediate bass lessonsAdvanced
Fine-tuning for players who want a career, a grade, or the last ten percent of a part to sit properly.
Advanced bass lessonsChildren
For young players and the parents booking them. I’m DBS checked, patient, and happy to make the first months feel like music rather than homework.
Children bass lessonsOnline
Live lessons anywhere, if Hertfordshire is not next door. Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet, or Zoom.
Online bass lessons
What the hour can cover
I teach privately in Hertfordshire and live online. The hour is tailored, and meant to feel like playing rather than a lecture.
- Rock
- Pop
- Funk
- Blues
- Punk
- Country
- Jazz
- Dance
- Left and right hand technique
- Ear training and improvisation
- Composing and arranging
- Theory, chords, and scales
- Harmony
- Sight reading
- Transcription
- Grades and exams, including Rockschool
Straightforward rates
Online
£45
per hour
Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet, or Zoom. Anywhere.
Call to bookIn person
£50
per hour
St Albans. Three minutes from the M25, ten from the M1.
Call to bookHome visit
from £55
per hour
I come to you. The fee depends on the journey.
Call to book
Google reviews
Rated 5.0
Terry Blyth Bass Tuition on Google★★★★★
“Terry is a fantastic and incredibly patient bass tutor. My son had lessons with him for about 18 months right at the start of his bass guitar journey and Terry gave him such a brilliant foundation in terms of technique and musicality. The lessons set my son on a great path and he’s now gigging regularly with his band. In addition to being a great teacher, Terry is highly experienced player and really generous in sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to live performance and gigging.”
Matt Bristow
September 2026 · Google review
★★★★★
“I started learning with Terry about a year ago not having any music knowledge other than a few riffs I learnt on YouTube. Since then I have learnt to read music, gotten far more confident playing a wide variety of genres and even playing live with different bands. His help through over the past year has been incredible supporting me while pushing me to be better. I'd highly recommend him as a bass teacher.”
Oliver Reynolds
August 2026 · Google review
★★★★★
“Terry taught me back in music college some 15 (maybe more) years ago. His focus with me on learning the core fundamentals of music, notation, rhythm and so on was a pivotal moment for me, as previous tutors had just taught me to play songs. I ended up making at least part of my living playing bass guitar and I’m grateful to Terry for this influence when I needed it.”
James Burgess
23 July 2023 · Google review
★★★★★
“Terry is a fantastic bass tutor. I have been playing bass on and off for ten years and decided it was time to start learning the theory behind the instrument. Terry took the time straight away to work out what I was looking for from lessons. Terry is an intuitive tutor and is able to tell when a detailed explanation is required and when not. He is able to draw analogies to help explain complex points and to break down theory and musical pieces into digestible sections to work through together. He hasn’t dwelt on points that he feels I have got the hang of so as (in his words) not to waste paid time, and has helped guide me on how much time to spend practicing at home. Overall I am very satisfied with the lessons and my progress, I would recommend Terry to anyone!”
Chris Gwynn
5 February 2023 · Google review
Questions people ask first
- How do I book a bass lesson?
- Call or WhatsApp me on 07812 073495. Say whether you want a lesson in St Albans, a home visit, or online, and who it is for. There is no package to buy first.
- How much do bass guitar lessons cost?
- Online lessons are £45 an hour. In-person lessons in St Albans are £50 an hour. Home visits start from £55 an hour, depending on the journey.
- Do you teach bass guitar online?
- Yes. I teach live, one-to-one, on Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet, or Zoom. You need a decent connection, a webcam, and a microphone.
- Where are the bass lessons in Hertfordshire?
- I teach in St Albans, about three minutes from the M25 and ten from the M1. I also visit students at home.
- Do you teach children?
- Yes. Lessons suit ages 7 to 70. I’m DBS checked, I hold a teaching diploma, and I teach children one-to-one.
- What styles of bass guitar do you teach?
- Rock, pop, funk, blues, punk, country, jazz, and dance, plus technique, theory, sight reading, transcription, and grade exams including Rockschool.